Rangers defeat to Celtic in the Old Firm Glasgow Cup final was a sore one to take, especially after losing the Youth Cup final only last week, the Viaplay Cup final and being knocked out of the Scottish Cup.
Some of the players on show at Ibrox on Wednesday night in the 3-3 draw – that the young Gers lost on penalties – played in both youth fixtures but it was the latest example of why the club almost needs to be gutted and rebuilt, from root to branch.
There are individuals who look closer to the first team than others though.
Alex Lowry looks technically ready, Zak Lovelace has the potential but still carries the inconsistency of youth and Bailey Rice could go all the way to the top.
In a game that Rangers found themselves 3-0 down to their Old Firm rivals before a third of the game was played, only to come back and take it into penalties, plenty was learned about the young Gers.
Five things we learned about Rangers and youth set up from Old Firm defeats
1. Defending is a shambles
For almost every goal conceded, and it was the same in the Youth Cup final, defenders followed the ball rather than keeping tabs on opposition players.
Nine goals conceded in two Old Firm youth finals by players hoping to force their way into first team reckoning.
As Alan Hansen used to say, “a space never scored a goal”.
2. None of the goalkeepers will get close to the first team
At Under-18 level and B team, the keepers should still be over 6ft tall, this isn’t a judgement of ability but some of ours don’t seem to have any real strengths at all.
3. Alex Lowry, Bailey Rice and Zak Lovelace are the future
All three should get first team minutes between now and the end of the season.
They have a level of awareness and technical ability that is miles above B and youth team level.
They won’t always get it right, but they are teenagers. They should be allowed to play with experienced teammates not just get game time in the early rounds of the cup with fringe players.
4. There seems to be no set pattern of play or philosophy despite the “one club” mantra
Rice and Lowry were constantly bypassed as Rangers went 3-0 down, they are, technically, the best two players from either side of the Old Firm and we didn’t use them.
That’s down to coaching and it has to change.
5. There is an over reliance on individuals
Football is a team game but neither the Under-18s or the B team seemed to have a set structure or system.
Compare this to the Celtic youth teams and their style of play matches that of the senior team that we have seen in recent Old Firm derbies.
It should replicate the first team if players are going to adapt easier.
Rangers are in transition but there needs to be a harmonious approach across the club and “best in class” shouldn’t just apply to the first team.
If our academy kids are going to make it at Ibrox, they need to have the best possible coaching too and, at the moment, it doesn’t look like that is what they are getting.
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